Leanna Lin’s Wonderland

Walking into Leanna Lin’s Wonderland feels like the best parts of your imagination have just come to life. The store, located on Eagle Rock Boulevard, is filled with fun, kitschy items that make perfect gifts for the holiday season. Eagle Rock has been its home for over five years, ever since the store opened in 2010. Boasting the work of over sixty artists and vendors, the store offers an eclectic mix of vision, style, and spunk. From jewelry to figurines, vintage house decor to enamel pins, and coffee mugs to coloring books; this unique store has something for everyone.

Meeting Leanna, the first thought in my mind is, “This is someone I want to know.” Born and raised in Los Angeles, she’s super passionate about the artists she represents in her store, being long time friends with some and knowing everyone’s work extensively. She knows what she wants, and has a spectacular eye for originality and innovation.

“I look for uniqueness and something that kind of fits the brand and the aesthetic of Leanna Lin’s Wonderland. So I look at handmade, but nothing too crafty. Definitely on the polished look. Also the cutesy and fun type of look.”

Leanna, an artist herself, says the store came together while she was promoting her line of jewelry:

“I’ve been doing jewelry almost my whole life. I set up my business in 2004, as a side thing, going to trunk shows and all of that stuff. I started to meet other artists and designers that I really admired and I kept their cards [for] buying personal stuff but also thinking one day I want to have my store. And that’s how it evolved.”

Not only is the store the perfect place to shop for the holidays, birthdays, or let’s be honest, yourself, it also stays very interactive with the neighborhood, really getting the community involved with the artists and designers.

“Oh yeah, we do a lot. It kind of evolved where the art shows got a really good reaction and I started to build a big following from that. We do an art show every other month, [and] shows run for six weeks. Different guest designers have also done creative workshops.”

The store is currently running the art show, “Dreams,” which is a cash and carry holiday exhibit featuring multiple local artists. About half of the pieces have been sold since the opening of the show on November 7, but there are still dozens of beautiful pieces to choose from for thoughtful gifts until closing night on December 24. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland will also be trying out something new with their shows in the new year. “We’re going to feature a local artist that are in the current shows; they’ll bring their work here and do a pop up and do live art.”

The shop is also an open studio, where both kids and adults can come by and create their own jewelry on the spot, using different varieties and colors of beads. In fact, you can book a private bead making party, which can be an original and super fun birthday or holiday idea. With a party booked this weekend, this event seems to be a popular one with the neighborhood kids.

“I feel like it’s really good to have this type of art and creation accessible to the kids and the families.” Leanna encourages the kids to bring out their individuality during these parties, saying, “ You don’t have to do stuff traditionally, you don’t have to make that trendy jewelry piece. You can just be creative and do what you want.”

With the holidays coming up, Leanna Lin’s Wonderland is the perfect place to pick up one of a kind gifts and stocking stuffers.